EUREKA — For a small school that was on the brink of closing its doors this year, St. Bernard’s sure does land some quality football coaches.

After former HSU and Arena League standout lineman Mike Mari accepted the defensive coordinator position at Mendocino College in 2003, former NFL quarterback Mike Yancheff stepped in.

Now, Yancheff has handed the controls to Mari’s former teammate, Ray Watson.

Watson, who was a four-year starting middle linebacker for the Lumberjacks, becomes the Crusaders’ head coach after five seasons running the JV program at Arcata High.

”When the job opened up at St. Bernard’s I just felt it was a good opportunity to start my varsity (coaching) career,” said Watson. “The program is in a rebuilding process and I think I can help get them to where they want to go.”

Watson is a fundamentals-oriented coach who believes that not beating yourself is the first step toward beating other people. On his watch, St. Bernard’s will be a disciplined football team that limits mental mistakes and, above all else, runs the football.

But philosophy aside, Watson has embraced the Crusaders’ “underdog” status, and is quietly confident that his team just may jump up and surprise some people.

Looking back upon his JV days Watson realizes that patience may be the most crucial virtue a coach can have.

”(Patience) is what it takes,” says Watson. “A lot of coaches want immediate results. You just have to be patient and if you’re working hard, things will come along.”

Watson is soaking up everything in his rookie year with the main headset. You can hear how much he cares about his players in his voice, how much they mean to him. Spend just five minutes speaking with the engaging coach and you’ll find out that it’s all about doing things the right way.

”To see the players work to achieve their goals, and then achieve them, that’s special,” said Watson. “That’s everything to me.”

Watson has confidence that his team can win, and win now. He has the players, and he believes in himself and his staff. Years of playing and coaching the game that he loves have led him to this point, and now it’s about making sure the ride is just as sweet for this crop of Crusaders.

”The game has given a lot to me, football has brought me a long way,” said Watson. “I want to pass on everything that I’ve learned.”